Elevated vacuum locking system

Abstract

Vacuum locking systems for prosthetic limbs are generally disclosed. An example double-wall socket system according to at least some aspects of the present disclosure may include a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a residual limb; a plunger pin mounted to a distal end of the flexible liner; an inner socket shaped to receive the flexible liner and the residual limb; an outer socket shaped to receive the inner socket, the flexible liner, and the residual limb; a locking mechanism mounted at least partially within the inner socket approximate a distal end of the inner socket; and a manifold mounted to a distal end of the outer socket. The manifold may be configured to be connected to a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from the double wall socket system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A double-wall socket system comprising:
 a flexible liner shaped to accept a portion of a residual limb;   a plunger pin mounted to a distal end of the flexible liner;   an inner socket shaped to receive the flexible liner and the residual limb;   an outer socket shaped to receive the inner socket, the flexible liner, and the residual limb, the outer socket having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the inner socket;   a locking mechanism mounted at least partially within the inner socket approximate a distal end of the inner socket, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive the plunger pin, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the flexible liner are inserted into the inner socket; and   a manifold mounted to a distal end of the outer socket, the manifold including
 a cavity generally aligned with the central opening of the locking mechanism, the cavity being adapted to receive a distal end of the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are installed into the inner socket, and 
 a through passage fluidicly connecting an interior of the cavity to a fitting on an exterior of the manifold, the fitting being configured to be connected to a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from the double wall socket system through the cavity and the through passage of the manifold. 
   
     
     
         2 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing liner including a generally annular seal disposed between the flexible liner and the inner socket. 
     
     
         3 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing liner including a generally annular seal disposed between the inner socket and the outer socket. 
     
     
         4 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , further comprising
 a first sealing liner including a first annular seal disposed between the flexible liner and the inner socket; and   a second sealing liner including a second annular seal disposed between the inner socket and the outer socket.   
     
     
         5 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the inner socket is substantially open distal to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the inner socket is at least partially closed distal to the locking mechanism. 
     
     
         7 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner socket extends proximally on the residual limb substantially farther than the outer socket. 
     
     
         8 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 , further comprising a sealing sleeve substantially sealing proximal portions of the flexible liner, the inner socket, and the outer socket. 
     
     
         9 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 1 ,
 further comprising a center hole seal extending between the central opening of the locking mechanism and the cavity of the manifold;   wherein the center hole seal comprises a generally cylindrical body including a wide portion, a narrow portion, and an axial through-passage;   wherein the narrow portion is at least partially received within the central opening of the locking mechanism; and   wherein the wide portion is seated against the manifold.   
     
     
         10 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 8 , wherein the center hole seal is constructed of resilient silicone. 
     
     
         11 . A double-wall socket system comprising:
 an inner socket shaped to receive a flexible liner disposed on a residual limb;   an outer socket shaped to receive the inner socket, the flexible liner, and the residual limb, the outer socket having a modulus of elasticity that is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the inner socket, the inner socket extending proximally on the residual limb substantially farther than the outer socket;   a locking mechanism mounted at least partially within the inner socket approximate a distal end of the inner socket, the locking mechanism including a central opening sized to receive a plunger pin extending distally from the flexible liner, the locking mechanism releasably engaging the plunger pin when the residual limb and the flexible liner are inserted into the inner socket; and   a manifold mounted to a distal end of the outer socket, the manifold being configured to be connected to a vacuum pump for withdrawing air from the double wall socket system.   
     
     
         12 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 , further comprising the flexible liner including the plunger pin. 
     
     
         13 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 12 , wherein the liner is constructed of silicone. 
     
     
         14 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 , wherein the inner socket is constructed of ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer. 
     
     
         15 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 , wherein the outer socket is constructed of at least one of polypropylene and copolymer. 
     
     
         16 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 , wherein the copolymer comprises polypropylene and polyethylene. 
     
     
         17 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 ,
 wherein the manifold includes a cavity arranged to receive a distal end of the plunger pin when the residual limb and the liner are installed into the inner socket; and   wherein the manifold includes a through passage fluidicly connecting the cavity to a fitting configured to be connected to the vacuum pump.   
     
     
         18 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 11 ,
 further comprising a center hole seal extending between the central opening of the locking mechanism and the cavity of the manifold;   wherein the center hole seal comprises a generally cylindrical body including a wide portion, a narrow portion, and an axial through-passage;   wherein the narrow portion is at least partially received within the central opening of the locking mechanism; and   wherein the wide portion is seated against the manifold.   
     
     
         19 . The double-wall socket system of  claim 18 , wherein the center hole seal is constructed of a resilient material with a durometer of about 50 to about 100 on the Shore A scale.